The so-called "Gang of Eight" senators have come up with a compromise plan that just might be accepted by all parties in Washington.

But while movement is hoped for in D.C., there has already been a shift in the way thousands of journalists will write about the issue.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press revised its influential stylebook and jettisoned "illegal immigrant," reversing a decision from six months earlier. The AP did not offer an exact replacement, instead recommending that writers fully describe a person's immigration status.

It's incorrect to describe a person as illegal, even if he or she has committed an illegal act, said Michael Oreskes, AP senior managing editor. Thus, "illegal immigration" is acceptable while "illegal immigrant" is not. "Undocumented" was rejected because people may have documents, just not the right ones.